Top 10 Things To Know About The G-Wagon

In the world of full-size SUVs with impeccable off-roading prowess, there are some formidable characters such as the Humvee, the G-Wagon, and the Land Cruiser. Among them, the G-Wagon has become a luxury chariot built on an old-school ladder-frame chassis. For those who are unaware, the G-Wagon started its life as a military vehicle, and it’s hard to believe it after looking at the current iteration of the SUV.

Launched back in 1979, the basic design ethos and purpose of the G-Wagon have remained unchanged even to the present day. Despite the SV having the aerodynamics of a brick, AMG did not shy away from making it one of the most powerful ones out there. Moreover, the SUV has seen some outlandish customizations from BRABUS too. And to top it off, the SUV was offered in a massive 6x6 layout right from the factory as well.

10. It is a hit among celebrities

The boxy and age-old design of the G-Class might not appeal to everyone. However, it has been a massive hit among celebrities and other influential personalities across the globe. Right from athletes to big-shot movie stars and singers, the G-Wagon has seen plenty of famous takers.

9. It is both comfy and capable

At a glance, the boxy shape and the tall design of the G-Wagon might not induce any sense of comfort. However, the moment you open the doors of the SUV, the cabin greets you with plenty of comfort and features. Take it to places where roads don't exist, the SUV won’t break a sweat, and would happily scale terrains with its lockable differentials.

8. It is safe

The old models of the G-Wagon might not possess the required specs and features to pass modern crash tests. But the modern iterations get plenty of safety features. And the most important of them are multiple airbags, followed by other ADAS systems, and active safety techs.

7. Surprisingly reliable

Often, luxury vehicles end up accumulating a bad name due to their reliability and steep repair costs. But the G-Wagon walks a different path. Since it is a widely-used military vehicle, the overall reliability is impressive. Gunther Holtorf also proved the SUV’s reliability by taking his 1988 G-Wagon on a 24-year-long world tour.

6. It has a tuner-friendly design

On a straight line and around the corners, the boxy shape of the G-Wagon proves to be a spoilsport. However, the constant design over four decades makes the G-Wagon quite tuner-friendly. As such, there is strong aftermarket support for the vehicle, and we still get to see some crazy powerful builds from BRABUS.

5. Rugged build for a luxury SUV

The six-figure price tags of today’s luxury SUVs would make almost everyone keep these vehicles away from harm's way. And going off the roads seems like a distant thought. However, unlike several rivals, the G-Wagon has a rugged build, And it can take abuse way better than any other vehicle in its segment too.

4. Faces very little competition

Even after over four decades of presence, the G-Wagon sees very little competition in its class. Moreover, even fewer offer the perfect combo of luxury and off-roading prowess as the G-Class as well. While the Land Cruiser and the Range Rover come quite close, they are not certainly better than the mighty G-Wagon.

3. Might see an all-new electric version in 2024

With the electrification of a majority of upcoming cars and SUVs, the G-Class might get an electric version too. While Mercedes is going to face several challenges to make the electric G-Wagon efficient, the boxy shape will live on.

2. AMG models are fast!

The regular models of the G-Wagon were both capable and comfortable but the AMG versions are something else. With the present lineup having the V8 engine as the sole powertrain, the line between the base and the AMG trim has blurred almost. While the handling part remains the same, the AMG versions are furiously fast for an SUV of its size. Even with a curb weight of 5,554 lbs, the G 63 can sprint to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds and the top speed is equally alluring with a figure of 170 MPH.

1. Still used as a military vehicle

The G-Wagon has its origin as a military vehicle. While we know the G-Wagon as a luxury vehicle at present, the base models are still used as military vehicles across the globe. And it can be had in several configurations including heavily armored vehicles as well.